Parties in a Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Medical malpractice lawsuits are one of the most complex types of civil cases. They often involve complicated medical conditions, extensive treatment, and patients with significant medical histories.

The parties in a Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawsuit will vary from case to case, but most often include medical doctors, other medical professionals, hospitals, and emergency rooms. Other medical professionals who may be held liable in a medical malpractice lawsuit include specialists like dermatologists, chiropractors, physical therapists, etc.

Example 1: Family Doctor Misdiagnosed a Major Medical Condition

A patient with a history of smoking develops a chronic cough and chest pain. After two months, the patient sees his family doctor in Philadelphia who diagnoses pneumonia. The family doctor does not order any diagnostic tests, such as an x-ray. Several months later, the patient begins coughing up blood and develops significant shortness of breath. After passing out at home, the patient goes to the ER. At the ER, the patient gets a lung x-ray which shows a suspicious mass. A subsequent CT scan shows a large tumor in the right lung. After a biopsy, the diagnosis is confirmed. A medical expert reviews the diagnostic test images, as well as the patient’s medical history and confirms that the family doctor misdiagnosed early stage lung cancer for pneumonia. In this instance, the patient’s medical malpractice case would be filed against the family doctor for failing to correctly diagnose cancer.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Against Hospitals, Emergency Rooms & Other Medical Offices

In cases where medical malpractice occurs in a hospital or emergency care setting, multiple parties may be named as defendants. In these cases, both the treating doctor and the hospital/emergency room would be sued.

Other types of medical offices may be held liable in medical malpractice cases. This includes rehabilitation facilities, laboratories, mental health treatment practices, nursing homes, etc.

Example 2: Hospital Failed to Diagnose and Treat a Heart Attack

A 65 year old woman goes to a hospital in Montgomery County with classic symptoms of heart attack: shortness of breath, severe chest pain, pain in one arm, and nausea. She is diagnosed with anxiety and released with directions to follow up with her family doctor. She suffers a massive heart attack less than 24 hours later and dies. Here, both the treating doctor at the hospital and the hospital would likely be sued in the medical malpractice lawsuit.

Defendants in medical malpractice cases will vary depending on the type of case.  It is important to talk to an experienced PA medical malpractice lawyer to ensure that all responsible parties are included in the lawsuit.

Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Our team handles complex medical malpractice lawsuits including wrongful death and survival cases across Pennsylvania. We’re rated by U.S. News & World Report in the area of medical malpractice law and offer a FREE consultation. (610) 825-0500